Xavier Bettel (Minister for Foreign Affairs): Flying Luxembourg's flag of diversity
Xavier Bettel, the Vice Prime Minister might be described as a model Luxembourger on the basis of the components of his ancestral and cultural antecedents bringing together his foreign roots, varied religious backgrounds, and the steady progress he has achieved in a range of ministerial posts in the coalition governments of which he has served as a key member.
Who is Xavier Bettel?
​As Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Xavier Bettel might be described as an exemplar of what it is to be Luxembourgish. He represents many strands of diversity, acceptance, and inter- nationalism that converged in the modern makeup of Luxembourg citizens. His back- ground is of immigrant stock: He is of French, Polish, and Russian descent. He had Catholic, Jewish, Orthodox, and atheist grandparents. He is gay and married to a Belgian. He is also fiercely supportive of the European Union. Previously, as Prime Minister, he has said of his political trajectory, “I represent the minority of minorities, and yet I have been able to become prime minister. Could that have happened on any other continent?” However, he has expressed concern that the EU is not working together and that “Working and coming together just doesn’t exist, everything is seen through a national dimension.”
“I represent the minority of minorities and yet I have been able to become prime minister. Could that have happened on any other continent?”
​
What has been Xavier Bettel’s political trajectory?
He was appointed Vice Prime Minister, Minis- ter for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, and Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs following the legislative elections in 2023. He holds his positions as part of the coalition government formed by the Christian Social People's Party (CSV) and the Democratic Party (DP). But he has been immersed in politics from the age of 15 supporting the Democratic Party. He cut his political teeth in local government serving as alderman and Mayor of Luxembourg. He progressed to the Chamber of Deputies. In his first term as Prime Minister, he served in a variety of ministerial positions including Minister of State, Minister for Communications and the Media, Minister for Culture, and Minister for Religious Affairs. He served as Prime Minister between 2013 to 2023.
​
How is Xavier Bettel equipped for public office?
Xavier Bettel was awarded a Master’s Degree in Public and European Law and an advanced degree in Political Science and Public Law from the Faculty of Law at the University in Nancy in France. He went on to study maritime law at the Aristotle University in Thessaloniki in Greece. Xavier Bettel has also made his mark in declaring his support for the values of the European Union. Speaking to MEPs he called for the defence of EU freedom of movement and the discouragement of protectionism.
​